The Sentinel: 08/23/24

Great Value bottled Apple Juice recalled

SNS - Walmart is recalling Great Value apple juice eight-ounce bottles sold in six-packs and labeled as 100% Juice in 27 states, including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

The FDA issued an official notice to the public on Aug. 20 following a voluntary recall by Refresco Beverages US, the bottlers of the juice. More than 9,500 cases of Great Value apple juice may have been contaminated due excessive levels of arsenic.

FDA guidelines require inorganic arsenic levels in apple juice to not exceed 10 ppb (parts per billion). The recalled Great Value apple juice levels exceed the approved limit by 3.2 ppb.

Five common symptoms of arsenic poisoning are:

Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are early signs of arsenic poisoning.
Skin Changes: Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), the appearance of small "corns" or warts on the palms, soles, and torso, and areas of skin thickening, particularly on the hands and feet.
Neurological Effects: Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations, particularly in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), along with confusion and headaches.
Cardiovascular Problems: Symptoms may include an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, and even shock in severe cases.
Respiratory Issues: Difficulty breathing, cough, and throat irritation, particularly if arsenic has been inhaled.

Chronic arsenic poisoning can also lead to more severe complications, including cancer, liver disease, and kidney failure.

The UPC is 0-78742-29655-5, and the best-if-used-by date is DEC2824 CT89-6. If you have the recalled product at home, do not consume it. Return it immediately to the nearest Walmart retail location for a refund. If you consumed the recalled product and are concerned or have questions, contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

Struggling to pay your rent? A couple tips to keep the roof over your head

Approaching your property manager can be intimidating. Before your conversation, consider seeking advice from a HUD-certified housing counselor or your local tenant union.

Photo: Sam Jotham Sutharson/PEXELS

StatePoint Media - Upfront and ongoing renting costs can put financial stress on any monthly budget. But whether you are experiencing financial hardship or just need a little extra help to make ends meet, you may have options by working with your property manager.

If you’re struggling to meet either of the two largest financial responsibilities of your lease — your security deposit or rent — here’s what you can do, according to Freddie Mac:

Alternative Security Deposits

The upfront cost of a security deposit can be a challenge for some renters. However, some property managers offer alternatives that decrease the amount due at signing. Common options include:

Recoupment: You agree to pay the property manager for any damages up to a pre-approved amount. If you fail to pay for damages at move out, a deposit company will bill you the amount owed.
Insurance: You pay monthly premiums for an insurance policy, up to a certain limit, to cover any damages you cause.
Installments: Rather than paying the full deposit at move-in, you’ll pay in smaller installments, typically monthly.

It’s important to know the different implications of each option. While these alternatives may seem attractive at lease signing, the cumulative out-of-pocket costs may be more than the amount of the traditional security deposit in the long run. Furthermore, depending on the option you choose, you may also still be liable for costs associated with damages to your unit. Make sure your agreed-upon terms are documented and that you fully understand them.

Rent Flexibility

Talk to your property manager about the flexibility they can provide on your rent payments. There are several common arrangements that they may be willing to offer you, which include:

Personalizing your payment dates: Most rent payments are due on the first of the month, and many properties typically offer a grace period. However, depending on your pay day, this timing still may not be ideal. Speak to your property manager about changing your payment due date to better align with your pay cycle.
Paying in installments: You may find it difficult to cover your full monthly rent in one payment. If this is the case, your property manager may be willing to work out an alternative schedule that allows you to make multiple smaller payments throughout the month.
Receiving a waiver for late fees or penalties: Late fees and penalties are intended to discourage repeated late payments — but sometimes, unexpected things happen. If you’re facing a temporary setback but are otherwise in good standing with your property manager, you may be able to negotiate a one-time exception for late fees or penalties.

Navigating the Conversation

Approaching your property manager can be intimidating. Before your conversation, consider seeking advice from a HUD-certified housing counselor to help you understand your rights and options, and to prepare any relevant information you may need. As you negotiate with your property manager, keep written documentation of any agreements made. And of course, keep the lines of communication open so that both parties are holding up their end of the agreement.

If you need assistance, reach out to a Renter Resource Organization, which can provide financial planning advice, educate you on your rights and responsibilities as a renter, offer mediation in landlord-tenant disputes, provide legal advice and more. Visit myhome.freddiemac.com/rros to find an organization servicing your region or call Freddie Mac’s Renter Helpline at 800-404-3097 to speak to a HUD-certified housing counselor.

If you’re struggling as a renter, actively communicating by asking questions or asking for assistance can relieve financial pressure and help you avoid eviction.

Health District to provide free NARCAN® kits during drive-thru event

CHAMPAIGN - Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will distribute free NARCAN® kits at a drive-thru event on August 30, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. as part of their recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. The campaign's goal is to honor the many lives lost to drug overdose by raising awareness about the opioid crisis. CUPHD hopes that by distributing NARCAN® (naloxone) to community members, it will empower and help residents mitigate the impacts of this crisis.

NARCAN®, also known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It works by binding to the opiate receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of opioids, allowing the individual to restore normal breathing and potentially save their life. NARCAN® is safe to use on someone who is unconscious, making it a crucial tool in overdose response. If a person is administered NARCAN® and is not overdosing on opioids, they will not be harmed.

Last year, CUPHD distributed 440 kits.

Kits can be obtained by driving to the south side of the CUPHD building located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign. Look for the small shed where staff will be on hand to provide kits and answer questions.

The CUPHD states that opioid overdoses are a serious public health concern. "It is vital to take every opportunity to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected by this crisis," the health district said in announcing the upcoming drive. "Participating in initiatives like the NARCAN® distribution drive on International Overdose Awareness Day can save lives and foster a safer and healthier community."

CDC data shows that overdose deaths involving opioids decreased from an estimated 84,181 in 2022 to 81,083 in 2023. Scientists agree that the opioid epidemic started in the late 1990s when opioids were prescribed freely by doctors without concern for their addictive nature. The crisis skyrocketed due to the proliferation of illegal opioids like heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl alongside the already overprescribed volume available in communities nationwide.

By distributing NARCAN® kits for free, CUPHD equips the community with the knowledge and tools needed to respond effectively to opioid overdoses, ensuring that individuals are well-informed, capable advocates who can raise awareness about opioid overdose prevention.

SJO tennis falls short in season opener at Maroa-Forsyth

MAROA - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ainsley Rhoten won eight games in her match at #4 singles against Maroa-Forsyth's Addison Stacey. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to post an opening day win for the Spartans at the Fairview Park Tennis Complex in Maroa on Thursday.

SJO SPORTS Rhoten, who lost 6-4, 6-4, led SJO in the 9-0 loss to the host Trojans.

"The team played absolutely great, but we fell short," said head coach Kevin Martlage. "There's a lot to build upon from tonight, and I was extremely happy with our efforts and what I saw."

SJO's Sonia Patel won five games in her match against the Trojans' Emma Knecht, while Madison Farber secured four games in her match against Maroa-Forsyth's Riley Hackleman, three in the first set and one in the second.

FINAL RESULTS

Singles:
No. 1 - Ella Sandgren (MF) def. Samantha Kelso (SJO) 6-0 , 6-0
No. 2 - Isabella Griffiths (MF) def. Madison Clampitt (SJO) 6-2 , 6-1
No. 3 - Emma Knecht (MF) def. Sonia Patel (SJO) 6-3 , 1-2
No. 4 - Addison Stacey (MF) def. Ainsley Rhoten (SJO) 6-4 , 6-4
No. 5 - Saarah Qureshi (MF) def. Ella Dieteker (SJO) 6-1 , 6-0
No. 6 - Riley Hackleman (MF) def. Madison Farber (SJO) 6-3 , 6-1

Doubles:
No. 1 - Katherine Nilles/Alexis Nilles (MF) def. Olivia Getty/Sara Kearney (SJO) 6-0 , 6-1
No. 2 - Shokrea Qidan/Isabella Griffiths (MF) def. MaKennah Hamilton/Lily Rice (SJO) 6-2 , 6-1
No. 3 - Pearlpreet Ghotra/Gurleen Kaur (MF) def. Audrie Helfrich/Audrey Benoit (SJO) 6-1 , 6-3